Frank Jenkins

Frank Jenkins, second son of the late Louis and Lucinda Jenkins, was born September 27, 1952 in Chicago, IL.

On Tuesday morning, November 15, 2022, we were all saddened to hear that he had been called home, joining the realm of our ancestors. 

Frank attended Marshall and Calhoun elementary schools, Tennyson Upper Grade Center, and Marshall High School. During high school, Frank participated in a program at Northwestern University that led to a scholarship to Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. While attending there, he studied accounting, pre-law, and adopted a nom de plume (pen name), Franklin Edward Jenkins. In 1976, Frank enlisted in the United States Army and served his country until 1979. After working at several non-profit organizations, Frank worked for Illinois Department of Employment Security for a number of years until he retired.

As the oldest son, Frank was big brother to us all. He was very family oriented and enjoyed gatherings and going out to dinner. From childhood Frank was smart, hardworking, and ambitious, delivering newspapers at age nine. He always had great ideas, whether entrepreneurial or when he decided to add brandy and pecans to his sweet potato pie. Frank loved good food, music, dancing, people, and bid whist.  He loved to have fun and referred to himself as the original party animal.

Frank was married twice but didn’t have children.

In 1977 while still in the military, he met fellow Army serviceman Michael (Mike) Thompson and formed a bond and lifelong friendship. In October of 2019, Mike came to Chicago to visit Frank while he was dealing with some health challenges. Frank said he was tired of Chicago and wanted to move to Florida. Mike told him to come on. The move happened, and within just a few weeks of relocating to Florida, Frank started feeling better, gained weight, and his countenance was brighter.

Preceding Frank in death were his parents, and nephews Eric Rainey and Lewis Jenkins III.

His life will forever be cherished in the lives of his brothers: ­­­­Lewis Jenkins Jr, Rozell Jenkins (Janice), Lamar Lacking (Ayanna), and Lawrence Lacking; sisters: Cheryl A. Rainey (Michael), and Cordelia Foxx; nephews: Cedric Rainey, Tywon Burnum, DaJuan Lacking; nieces: DeLonda Foxx, Lamerrica Lacking, D’Asia Lacking and Jaylen Lacking; brother/friend Michael (Mike) Thompson, great and great-great nieces, a great nephew, special cousins: Nathaniel (Bud) Jenkins and wife Carol, Ron Jenkins, Frank Jenkins, Henry Miller, and many other loved cousins and friends.

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